Big Sur

First off, check THIS out:
A CONDOR!, one of SEVEN that we were lucky enough to see while pulled over on the sde of the road. One was gracious enough to fly about 5 feet over our heads. So beautiful.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park is above.

Merielle giving stink eye to Daddy.

Andrew Molera state park, at the beach.

Everyone knows how I feel about sand.

I drove the RV back from Andrew Molera to home...geez.

Ryan followed us:)

Visit to Irvine

Merielle being a ham, on her stage in Irvine at my parents house:)

With My brother's kids on the sofa:

Cuddling with Alexa..... she's great with Merielle always kept aneye on her to make sure she kept out of trouble.

It was about 90 degrees when we were on the carousel:

1st Plane Flight, before the crying.

I didn't take pictures of what came next....I'm sure you can imagine.

water baby

Sunriver, Oregon 2009

This August we went with friends to Oregon, had a blast. Here are a select few photos, which don't do the week justice.

Dancer

I tried to get a video of Merielle hula dancing, but she won't let me...here's a slight preview, I'll get a better one when she's not paying attention to me.

14 months

Merielle is growing like a weed. She is curious and into everything, talks up a storm, and loves to give hugs. She is eating by herself and getting very good at walking. She's amazing, we are so lucky.

Easter Hat

Allie and Merielle

Only eight days apart....I love getting them together. I don't take enough pictures of the two of them. They are hilarious.

Keri and Anthony are very good to Merielle!

Little Merielle.

So Demure and Pretty, Allie is a sweetheart.

Two Months and a birthday later....

Merielle turned one on April 18th! We had a party for her in Irvine CA. She was a great kid, socializing up a storm and playing with her cousins and new friends.

Face first into the cake!

Sorry Uncle Bret, couldn't resist!

Some of the guests...who spoiled Merielle!!!

Family shot with the Birthday Girl

A happy one year old!

At the park

YES!! She is standing....




YEP, riding the teeter totter too!



Even toughing the ground, GO Merielle!!

Hiking

We took Merielle on a day long hike in Garland Park, here in Carmel Valley. It is close to the house, and very family friendly. We had signed up for a guided hike, but missed the group, we were able to meet up with them later and learned a ton about our local flora and fauna on the way down.






The backpack was lent to us. I highly recommend borrowing baby equipment as much as possible. It is great when people can form a circle and each has an item to lend. It reduces the amount you have to store and lets others enjoy your purchase. Just be prepared to replace it if you damage it:)

Merielle, the growing weed

Merielle has figure out all the cabinets and which ones she can fit into....



She was so pleased with her self for getting in and out all on her own.

We have been able to get her more in tune with nature...here with Auntie Mary on the lawn.

New Header

Isn't my new header fabulous? Thank you to my crafty friend Jen (you can check out two of her blogs to the right....

New Toy's

Since Merielle is standing on her own and furniture cruising, her grandma bought her a walker. From what I have read walkers are a little controversial...aka dangerous. Since we have dense carpet and she's under her daddy's watchful eye, we decided she could use this toy. She really likes it and seems to be taking it step by step (LOL).

The kid talks up a storm:

As a side note: She is being more vocal and expressive, but it's hard to know what she wants. I try to give a word to everything I do with her, so she can begin an association. Seems simple enough, and our communication is getting better. She is a professional at the command "up!"

playtime

Merielle is very active now, she's standing on her own and very curious. She'll be walking in no time.

Last week we had our 1st ER visit. Merielle had a croup attack and we had to take her in bacause it was hard for her to breathe. Plus, the poor thing got a double ear infection on top of it all. She's recovering and getting better...but it was sad to see her so sick.